| Robert Joseph Dougherty age 85, formerly of Hingham MA., passed away peacefully on March 23, 2016. Beloved husband for over 50 years to Barbara Concetta Dougherty, Brother of William R. Dougherty Jr., Loving Father of Robert J. Dougherty Jr. and fiancé Priscilla Carter, Stephen E. Dougherty and wife Sarah N. Dougherty, Laura L. Dougherty, Gail Martin and husband Clarence Martin.
Cherished Grandfather of Jon D. Schaab Jr., Zachary R. Schaab, Nicholas A. Schaab, Erin E. Dougherty, Ryan N. Dougherty, Graycen L. Dougherty, Jacob R. Dougherty, Ricky D. Martin, Danielle E. Meyer, Melissa R. Chevez and Joseph W. Martin.
Boating Industry Icon, Bob Dougherty, was an Industrial Arts teacher in Boston until 1959, Bob met Dick Fisher of Boston Whaler who hired him as Chief Designer in 1960. He designed every Boston Whaler from 1960 to 1990, was involved in the development of an unsinkable hull and created the first “V” shaped Whaler hull during his 30 year tenure. He relocated Boston Whaler’s production facility from Rockland MA., to Edgewater, Florida in 1987. After leaving Boston Whaler, Bob and his son Stephen, founded Edgewater Powerboats in 1990 developing a whole new line of unsinkable boats. Selling his majority interest in Edgewater in 1995, Bob and Stephen founded R.J. Dougherty Associates Inc., in 1996. They started building fiberglass parts for other boat companies and invented the RAMCAP process. This new process for building hardtops led to their reputation as the best manufacturers of hardtops in the industry. The RAMCAP process won the 1999 NMMA Innovation Award for a new process in the marine industry. In 2001 Bob and Stephen started Everglades Boats and began building boats again using their patented RAMCAP process. In 2002 they won their 2nd NMMA Innovation Award for the 230CC Flats Boat. Bob designed and introduced the revolutionary 243CC Bay Boat in 2004 which today remains to be the biggest seller. The 290 Pilot introduced in 2005 won Bob’s 3rd NMMA Innovation Award within a 6 year period. His final hull design, Everglades’s new Flagship 435CC was revealed in 2014. This was a fitting end to a monumental career and has proven to be wildly successful. Bob’s son Rob and daughter Laura continue to work proudly under his name at Everglades Boats.
Bob is considered to be one of the world’s foremost experts on unsinkable boats. One national magazine nicknamed him “Mr. Unsinkable”. A tremendous impact on the Volusia County economy, Bob helped create over 1,000 boating industry jobs in Edgewater. One of his favorite sayings was “Tight Lines”, a fishing term for good luck or good fortune”. A highly intelligent, influential, loving man, Bob will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. His legacy will live on. |
Together with all the Boston Whaler families, in Rockland, Hingham and Marshfield MA.
Sympathy and lots of love.
Elaine (Bob) Nash, now of Naples Florida.
Love & peace to all of you